Demographics

Baffin Island has a population of only 11,000, about one third of the entire Nunavut territory. Over half the population is native Inuit. Of this 11,000, over half live in its largest city Iqaluit, which is also the capital and largest city in Nunavut. Other large towns include Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, and Cape Dorset, which is located on a small offshore island. The island is governed as a part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, consisting of the Melville Penninsula and a large number of Canada's arctic islands (including Ellesmere, the third largest island in Canada).

Baffin Island is also home to Auyuittuq National Park. Auyuittuq National Park contains little vegetation and sparse wildlife (known to house only 12 species of mammals), but is an excellent example of the many terrains of an Arctic wilderness. In Inuit, Auyuittuq means "the land that never melts".

How to Get There

The primary means of travel to Baffin Island from mainland Canada is through Iqaluit Airport. Canada North provides regular service from Ottawa, while First Air serves the city from Ottawa and Montreal. The airport features a long WWII era runway able to accommodate most modern jets. This proved useful on June 1, 1996 when a Virgin Atlantic747 en route from London to Los Angeles was forced to make an emergency landing when a passenger suffered a heart attack. Local rumor insists that the airport serves as an emergency landing site for NASA's Space Shuttle, although this rumor is false. The airport has also served as a cold weather aircraft testing facility, notably for the AirbusA380. Air service is provided through Iqaluit to most cities on Baffin Island.

Pangnirtung is the nearest town to Auyuittuq National Park. As such, it serves as an excellent starting point for those wishing to backpack along Akshayuk Pass, or visit some of the many cliffs for a BASE jumping excursion.

Pond Inlet is called one of Canada's "jewels of the north". Picturesque mountain ranges are seen in all directions, making the landscape a favorite of local artists.

Due to the extreme northerliness and limited light pollution, all of Baffin Island makes for excellent viewing of the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis are best view in Spring and early Fall. The light show continues in Winter, but skywatchers should be prepared for the extreme temperatures found during that time of the year.